Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A man from Victorville was booked on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges after allegedly crashing a vehicle into a flood control channel, killing his passenger, according to the West Covina Police Department.
First responders were sent to the crash at Valinda Avenue and Glendora Avenue just after Midnight April 23. Once first responders descended into the flood control channel, they found a passenger dead at the scene. Driver Jose Felix Tamayo-Juárez, 24, was evaluated for minor injuries and later arrested. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to the West Covina Police Department. Roadways near the crash were closed for many hours but have since reopened. Anyone with information on this investigation is urged to call West Covina Police Traffic Corporal Cychner at 626-939-8589. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - The community continues to try and make sense of the shocking loss of a 16-year-old West Covina High School student who ended her life March 27.
Samantha Vuong was found in her room, a gun used to end her life, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. “Samantha Vuong was the sweetest, most beloved, and an amazing artistically bright 16-year-old West Covina High School student, on her junior year. Tragically on Monday morning, 3.27.2023, she passed away in her room,” according to Akura-Jade Vuong, Samantha’s older sister. The West Covina Unified School District issued a statement the morning of Vuong’s death. “We understand that this news will come as a shock to many of you, and we want to extend our deepest sympathies to the student’s family and friends during this difficult time. Losing a member of the WCUSD family is tragic, and we are deeply saddened by this loss,” according to WCUSD Superintendent of Schools Emy Flores. A gofundme account continues to receive donations for Vuong’s funeral and memorial expenses. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Authorities announced the arrest of a man sought in the double slaying of two brothers at the West Covina apartment complex.
Michael Antonio Mariano Junior was arrested Tuesday, March 21 at an apartment complex in Corona. He was arrested days after the arrest of his sister, Lorraine Fisher, who was booked on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact, according to the West Covina Police Department. Mariano is accused of gunning down Maliki Faust, 22, and Majarion Faust, 19, in the carport of an apartment complex November 2, 2022. The murdered men are cousins of Mariano. The men were found shot in the 3400 block of South Sentous Avenue after police were called at 10:45 p.m. One man was declared dead at the scene, the second victim died at a hospital according to Lt. Travis Tibbetts of the West Covina Police Department. According to Los Angeles county booking records, Mariano was originally arrested November 3, 2022 at 11:52 a.m. and was held in lieu of $4 million bail. He was then released the same day at 9:42 pm. Booking records show that he was held for detention only. It is not publicly clear why investigators originally deemed that he be released. The March 21 arrest was made with the help of the US Marshal Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. Mariano is currently being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina court Thursday, March 23. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Three occupants of an apartment complex lost their lives in an overnight fire, a West Covina Police Lieutenant said. The fire burned at Rollingwood Apartments, 1901 E. Amar Rd. The fire potentially also affected two other units, forcing at least two other residents to be displaced, authorities said. First responders were sent to the apartment complex before 1 a.m., Sunday, March 5. Some surrounding apartment units were evacuated as a precaution during the fire fight, according to Lt. Nelson of the West Covina Police Department. Los Angeles county fire department arson investigators were called to assist west Covina firefighters with determining the cause, Nelson told SGV CityWatch. The American Red Cross has been called to assist those displaced. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - The murderer of 29-year-old Gabriela De Haro Perez remains at-large and investigators renewed calls for public assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible.
Gabriela was shot and killed near Azusa Avenue and Amar Road January 2, 2021. Investigators believe she was the victim of gang violence and was likely misidentified. Gabriela was not involved in gangs or gang activity, according to the West Covina Police Department. "Detectives are keeping the details of the shooting and details regarding the suspect vehicle confidential. Detectives believe there are people that know who committed this horrific crime and would be able to provide these specific details to validate their reliability as a witness, which they believe could potentially solve the case," according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement. Rewards are still being offered to being Gabriela's murder to justice: a $50,000 approved by the West Covina City Council, a $15,000 reward approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Gabriela’s family has offered a reward of $35,000 for the arrest and conviction of the murderer. Anyone with information is urged to call West Covina Police at 626-939-8500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. Theft Suspect Jailed, Accomplices At-Large After Causing Fatal Crash in West Covina Dec. 112/5/2022 Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA – A Long Beach man will have his day in court December 6, accused of fleeing a business after committing a burglary, only to cause a crash that eventually killed one person.
Luis Alberto Banuelos, 32, was behind the wheel when he crashed at Sunset Avenue and Cameron Avenue around 9:10 p.m. December 1. Banuelos was booked on suspicion of DUI, assault with a deadly weapon and hit and run causing injury, according to the West Covina Police Department. After the crash, witnesses saw three suspect fleeing the scene. Officers caught Banuelos after a search. One person injured in the crash died after being hospitalized, according to the West Covina Police Department. Banuelos is being held in lieu of $50,000 ahead of an appearance in the West Covina courthouse, according to Los Angeles County booking records. Investigators are still seeking the two unidentified suspects. Anyone with information on this crash is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8653. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The men killed by gunfire at a West Covina apartment complex were identified recently.
Maliki Foust, Jr., 22, was found shot to death in a vehicle. Majarion Foust, 19, was wounded and later died at a hospital, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Maliki, listed as a Victorville resident, died from multiple gunshot wounds. His manner of death was homicide. Majarion has a pending examination, according to coroner records. Both men died in the 3400 block of South Sentous Avenue. West Covina Police officers were called around 10:45 p.m. November 2. It is not publicly clear if investigators have identified any suspects. Anyone with information on this double homicide is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8500. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA – Two men were killed, found with gunshot wounds late Wednesday night.
The men were found in the 3400 block of South Sentous Avenue after police were called at 10:45 p.m. November 2. One man was declared dead at the scene, the second victim died at a hospital according to Lt. Travis Tibbetts of the West Covina Police Department. It is unclear if detectives have identified any suspects, or what motive led to the shooting. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A man in his 60s who died near the front entrance of a supermarket Saturday night may have died of natural causes.
First responders located a 66-year-old man unresponsive outside Vons, 777 S. Glendora Ave., June 25 after being called just after 8 p.m. Paramedics found the man not breathing and pronounced him deceased, according to the West Covina Police Department. “The decedent was a 66-year-old male who had a history of medical issues. No foul play is suspected,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner was not readily available to identify the man. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Few details are available after a death was reported just after 8 p.m. June 25.
Police responded to Vons, 777 S. Glendora Ave., according to Lt. Brian Daniels of the West Covina Police Department. Daniels had no other details regarding the possible circumstances surrounding the death, or even a general description of the victim. Video from the scene showed a body covered in a white sheet at the front entrance to the supermarket, yellow crime scene tape setup and officers on scene. |
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